No kavadis but chariot procession allowed under new Thaipusam SOPs

PETALING JAYA: Strict SOPs will be in place for this year’s Thaipusam celebration, including a ban on kavadis. However, chariot processions are allowed with limits on the number of stops that can be made.

In a statement, national unity minister Halimah Sadique urged devotees to abide by the rules and ensure they mask up and practice good personal hygiene at all times.

SOPs for the Thaipusam festival will be in force from Jan 16-19, with SOPs related to “paal kudam” (milk offerings) to be applied from Jan 14-19.

The main SOPs that have been in place for many public activities in recent months will be enforced throughout the festival, that is, only those who are fully vaccinated can participate, physical distancing of one metre must be observed, and face masks must be worn at all times.

However, an additional SOP added for the festival is that only adults, aged 18 and above, are allowed to participate.

Meanwhile, different SOPs have been imposed on the different temples that attract large crowds every year in conjunction with Thaipusam.

At the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves (Selangor):

At the following temples – Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple in George Town, Penang; Nagarathar Thandayuthapani Temple (George Town); Ipoh Hindu Devastanam Paripalana Sabah Temple (Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Alayam) in Perak; and Sri Subramaniyar Thevasthana Paripalana Temple Sabah Sungai Siput (Perak):

For all other temples:

Also, for all the temples, the SOP states that no food or drink is allowed during the prayers.

Chariot procession

The SOPs for the chariot processions state that a limited number of people are allowed to accompany the chariot, and that it must follow a route that has been approved by the police.

For the chariot procession from the Sri Mahamariamman temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee in Kuala Lumpur to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, the SOPS are as follows:

For the chariot processions at Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple (Penang), Nagarathar Thandayuthapani Temple George Town (Penang), Ipoh Hindu Devastanam Paripalana Sabah Temple (Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Alayam) (Perak) and Sri Subramaniyar Thevasthana Paripalana Temple Sabah Sungai Siput (Perak), the SOPS are as follows:

For all other temples, any chariot procession is to have no more than 50 escorts from the temple, and no more than five stops allowed.

Furthermore, only the temple management are allowed to set up tents along the procession path, and these must provide MySejahtera facilities, temperature screening equipment and hand sanitisers.

“Paal kudam” (milk offerings)

The ceremonial carrying of milk pots is allowed, with different SOPs for different temples.

At the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves:

At the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple (Penang), Nagarathar Thandayuthapani Temple George Town (Penang), Ipoh Hindu Devastanam Paripalana Sabah Temple (Kallumalai Sri Subramaniam Alayam) (Perak) and Sri Subramaniyar Thevasthana Paripalana Temple Sabah Sungai Siput (Perak):

At all other temples:

The temple management is tasked with providing a special route for bearers of the paal kudam and ensure one metre of physical distancing.

All participants must also register with the temple in advance and wear a tag issued by the temple.

Other SOPs: